The school was founded by Khayelitsha musicians Ongx Mona and Wara Zintwana. They funded the academy and bought instruments with money fromThe academy has moved from Monwabisi Park informal settlement to the garage of Zintwana’s cousin’s home in Khayelitsha.Mona says that after high school he wanted to further his studies in music but couldn’t, as he had trouble reading sheet music. Music was not offered as a subject at his school and music schools cost money.
The school is free and the teachers are volunteers. The classes, two hours long, run four times a week. Students are taught music theory, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums and keyboard. If there is money, the students are also offered food.Zintwana says that in Khayelitsha, children hang out on corners, where people are drinking and smoking, because of a lack of after-school activities. He wants to offer them a better option.
Mona says that a few former students have managed to find work through the academy, sometimes playing music in churches. ‘We know the academy is something that can create job opportunities … but it needs strong financial muscle to support it.’ With R20 000 a month, Mona says, the academy could pay the music teachers a stipend, cover transport costs for students and teachers, maintain the instruments and feed the children. ‘You can’t really be teaching them on an empty stomach,’ says Mona.
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